I recall hitting day 100 and receiving a comment from a head teacher saying they didn’t think I’d still be going after 100 days. That was 265 days ago. And here we are!

There have many highlights of blogging this year and too many to remember every single one in detail.

I suppose the best highlight has to be making new contacts and ultimately fab friends who have become real through meeting face to face starting with teachmeets and tweet-ups and then just because we can.

Other great highlights include the banter from ORRsome twitterati over the year.

A blog with over 72,000 views in one year and 36,000 tweets – the year has been such fun.

Teachmeet The Opera was bORRn – sort of happened by accident while chatting with a friend on twitter about presenting at my first ever teachmeet. I had an idea about sharing my top ten favourite blogs but really wanted it to be different rather than simply standing up and saying the names. The title of my blog HIGHHEELSANDHIGHNOTES lent itself very easily to solving the problem and the first twitter aria appeared.

Followed by 92 twitterati. If I were to re-write this I’d need to include an awful lot more. There are some amazing people out there to follow on twitter.

If I were to name everyone I’d recommend following and reasons why I’d need an entire opera, never mind one aria.

What is a teachmeet? Strangely proved to be asked for at several teachmeets over the year…..

One of my favourites has to be The Ode to all head teachers. I am in ORR of some of the amazing heads out there. It can be a very lonely job and I have had incredible support and networking with many heads. So once again, this is for you.

I already have at least three new pieces to write for the new year for various teachmeets as well as NORRthern Rocks 2014.

I’ll keep you posted.

So what will today bring?
Really do have to end the year of blogging for 365 days consecutively in my shoes with my own inimitable style of high heels and high notes!

These boots were made for walking…..

I finally got round to counting the footwear and if you include my purple Hunter wellies (often appeared as willies due to predictive text!!! lol), Goretex boots, slippers, tap shoes etc…, I have 114 pairs!

78 were needed to create this.

However, it’s not goodbye!

I have my next shoe calendar at the ready.

However, I do need to finish this year the only way I can, with high heels and high notes!

Click on the audio and scroll down to view the 12 Shoes of Christmas!

On the first day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the second day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the third day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the fourth day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me four pairs of green heels, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the fifth day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me, five killer heels!
Four pairs of green heels, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the sixth day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me, six pairs of work shoes, five killer heels!
Four pairs of green heels, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the seventh day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me 7 pairs of boots, six pairs of work shoes, five killer heels!
Four pairs of green heels, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the eighth day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me 8 Irregular choice heels, 7 pairs of boots, six pairs of work shoes, five killer heels!
Four pairs of green heels, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the ninth day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me, 9 glittery heels,8 Irregular choice heels, 7 pairs of boots, six pairs of work shoes, five killer heels!
Four pairs of green heels, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the tenth day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me, 10 ruby red heels, 9 glittery heels,8 Irregular choice heels, 7 pairs of boots, six pairs of work shoes, five killer heels!
Four pairs of green heels, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the eleventh day of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me, 11 iron fist heels, 10 ruby red heels, 9 glittery heels,8 Irregular choice heels, 7 pairs of boots, six pairs of work shoes, five killer heels!
Four pairs of green heels, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

On the twelfth day Of Christmas the shoe queen gave to me, 12 fab black heels, 11 iron fist heels, 10 ruby red heels, 9 glittery heels,8 Irregular choice heels, 7 pairs of boots, six pairs of work shoes, five killer heels!
Four pairs of green heels, 3 Doc Martens, 2 pairs of Hades and my one and only pair of Louboutin heels.

It’s Monday, although we don’t notice it as much as is fallen in the middle of our hols.

However, having already posted a blog for the 364th day of the year, it dawned on me I haven’t shared a MONDAY one.

Amidst all the nurture posts, everyone is reflecting on their year and looking forward to new things for 2014.

In all of this we must never fORRget to be true to ourselves.

Be yourself.

Believe in yourself.

Look after yourself.

Be you!

Love you!

Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.–Hardy D. Jackson

Accept everything about yourself–I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end–no apologies, no regrets.–Clark Moustakas

Any life, no matter how long and complex it may be, is made up of a single moment–the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is.–Jorge Luis Borges

Be not anxious about what you have, but about what you are.–Pope Gregory I

Be what you are. This is the first step towards becoming better than you are.–J. C. Hare & A. W. Hare (Guesses at Truth: Second Series)

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.–Dr. Seuss

Being born in a duck yard does not matter, if only you are hatched from a swan’s egg.–Hans Christian Andersen

A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.–Maya Angelou (quoted in Mind Your Own Bizniche by Squire)

But an accurate definition of the self is impossible. You are more than you realize, more than you can define. And the more time you spend trying to nail down the definition, the less time you spend living right now. … Your past is not your identity… You, living now, is your identity.–George Lawrence-Ell (The Invisible Clock)

By your own soul, learn to live
And if men thwart you take no heed.
If men hate you have no care.
Sing your song, dream your dream,
Hope your hope and pray your prayer.–Parkenham Beatty

Committing yourself is a way of finding out who you are. A man finds his identity by identifying.–Robert Terwilliger

Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.–Pope John XXIII

Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face.–Carol Mosely-Braun

A desire to be in charge of our own lives, a need for control, is born in each of us. It is essential to our mental health, and our success, that we take control.–Robert F. Bennett

Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticised anyway. You’ll be damned if you do and damned if you don’t.–Eleanor Roosevelt

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.–Howard Thurman

Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones tend to take care of themselves.–Dale Carnegie

Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.–Janis Joplin

Don’t listen to those who say, “It’s not done that way.” Maybe it’s not, but maybe you will. Don’t listen to those who say, “You’re taking too big a chance.” Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most importantly, don’t listen when the little voice of fear inside of you rears its ugly head and says, “They’re all smarter than you out there. They’re more talented, they’re taller, blonder, prettier, luckier and have connections…” I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you’ll be a person worthy of your own respect.–Neil Simon

Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit.

It would be wise to clarify that I wrote my second ever blog on December 19th 2012 for #nurture1213.

It would be proper to look at what I set as my hopes and what has transpired since.

My hopes for 2013 – here’s what I said followed by what actually happened!

1. Progress – to continue to secure the best for the children at our school. Many live in horrendous situations and it is important we enable them to be the best they can be. “Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better, best!”

I spent the remainder of the academic year with these kids before finally moving on to another headship. I think the send off they gave me says it all. I am thankful for my time at Shotton. I spent over 11 years working with the kids and their families. They truly are amazing. I miss you all.

2. SHOES – I intend to start a blog called ‘high heels and high notes’ with the aim of sharing a day in my shoes!

My blog for 365/365 days in my shoes is testament to this. Never did I ever think I would blog for 365 days consecutively. It has been a journey and one I have loved.

It wasn’t an easy challenge to undertake. Would I think differently if I set myself this challenge again? I don’t know, I’m quite a determined person once I put my mind to something. Others may call it stubborn. Perhaps I am. Once I started I couldn’t stop it. There were times when there were several pressures all at once. I thrive on positive stress but negative stress is of little benefit to anyone. I suppose pride and a stubborn streak kept me going. I’m looking forward to continuing to blog but it’s not going to be daily for 2014. I’ll certainly keep the Monday positive start to the week blog going as it makes a difference to how I start my week. I love favourite blog posts and summing up the week. Who knows? Changes in new curriculum, partnerships and new ventures are there too. High heels and high notes!

3. Health – I have been blessed with such good health over the last 8 years – the last time I needed to be in hospital with serious chest infection. I also request good health upon my family and that I am always there.

I can’t recall a moment when I wasn’t well during this last year. My year has been spent as a carer for my parents and has been my life, my world, my existence and my being 24/7. They have not been blessed with such good health for over a year. I pray this will change.

4. EYFS – We shall be appointing a new Early Years Leader in the new year and we want to ensure our EYFS goes from strength to strength.

As I left Shotton in August 2013, I know our EYFS children and the staff team were in very capable hands.

8. My own professional development – consider a move to a new school? I am in my 5th year as HT and need to start looking at my next steps. I spend so much time looking after everyone else’s next steps, I neglect my own.

I am taken aback reading hope 8 as it was not something I set out to do or indeed planned. However, those of you who follow or know me, know that I was successful in interview for another headship. I love it.

I truly have been called to my new role as head teacher. If anything was meant to be for me, this is it.

Thank you. I love it.

9. Health – this has been good, but as I enter my 46th year I want it to be even better. I have such a buzz going to my local gym – it’s less than 2 miles from my home and so accessible. I love it. 6/8 times this week – not sure I can sustain that but want to attempt at least 3-4 times per week.

I have had a very good year health wise and wouldn’t change a thing.

10. Garden – I have already planted spring bulbs – wish to be more proactive in my garden.

I did manage to get my garden going and love it.

I must add this small extra part. I have a white Christmas Rose growing in a planter. This came from my grandfather’s garden and will have been growing year on year for over 100 years. It is currently showing around a dozen flowers ready to open. A true reminder of the wonder of nature and its power to survive no matter what the weather conditions. Life is precious.

This did not happen but securing a new job really did overtake this. The opportunities that have been afforded me this year through twitter contacts etc… certainly outweigh not having achieved this. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited along to teachmeets as well as to collaborate on special projects. January 10th 2014 sees the start of something new and exciting as a direct result of twitter, blogging and TES.

12. Twitter – I have tweeted for quite a while but these last 3 months have be invaluable. I wish to continue to develop my networks both professionally and socially – to be stimulated, inspired, enthused and motivated. Hope I do the same for others.

Only you can answer this for me. I hope I did.

13. GUILT – I hope that I will never find myself in a position that I regret!

A really good friend of mine always said he would never have any regrets. I have stuck with this. He’s right. Don’t regret a thing.

In shORRt – all about the kids.

They were hopes from last year – not bad going to keep them going, especially when I never looked at my nurture 1213 list once I had written it.
New job and preparing to leave a school where I had lived and breathed it for over 11 years was a challenge.
On top of all of that, I had great fun at countless teachmeets, created an opera album for teachmeets etc…, presented at several events and still have requests for mORR in 2014.

(FORRgot to add had an OFSOD too in the last week of my first term in post. Christmas week. Lovely!)

I am thankful for my year.

I am fortunate. I am lucky. I have a good life.

I have made some amazing new friends this year.

It’s been great to meet people from twitter for this first time and I look forward to meeting mORR twitterati for the first time in 2014.

I am what I am. I am me.

So, now you’re wondering what my hopes for 2014 are?

I haven’t any. Or, perhaps, I’m not going to set myself any. I want to live, to be, to grow, to laugh, to love and to care without any conditions.

I’m not one for new year resolutions anymore. I used to say I’d stop biting my nails and it never happened. I’d make that resolution every year and I didn’t stop biting my nails. I once sang with a chap on stage and he had to hold my hand. He looked at my nails, bitten as far down as possible, and commented, ‘haven’t you got horrible stumpy hands’. My initial thought was to lamp him one and knock him into next week. I didn’t. I didn’t need a resolution to help me stop biting my nails for 27 years. Just someone to notice.

Means I can share three generations on one hand – Mum, grandma and great grandmother. Special.

So, I’m not going to make any new year resolutions.

I made a really great new friend in the last few months of 2013. Followed for a while on twitter simply because of another head teacher connection and equally a footie fan – not my team, however. But that doesn’t matter. Batting for the same team does not secure a friendship.

A new special friend who has inspired me. An amazing person who has entered my life and for whom I feel like the big sister and pair of ears. I believe in angels and know I had an amazing guardian angel watching over me last year. Perhaps I will be a guardian angel too.

Inspired me to look at who I am, what I stand for, how lucky I am and makes me think mORR about what I can do for others and make their lives better. I am incredibly fortunate. I have no need to moan, to whinge or to be ungrateful. My new friend is ORRsome. I am in awe of them. Their selflessness. Their determination. Their perseverance. Their freedom.

2014 is going to be ORRsome!

We share the same care for our family.

My Dad is now 88. Fab Christmas together even though he and my Mum have had a difficult year. I am who I am because of them.

I’m not making a list of 14 hopes because if they are meant for me, they will happen. The is not to stay there won’t be goals to aim for and targets to be achieved. I’m simply not pinning my colours to that mast.

I’m not going to set myself a target or a time limit on what I want to achieve.

I know if I am determined enough to go after something, nothing will stop me and I don’t need to have it spelled out in order to do it.

Those who know a little bit mORR about me will know my life has travelled at an incredible pace this last year. Perhaps too fast a pace and taking on too much. I know I burn the candle at both ends. There are some things I can’t or won’t change but there are others I will work harder at.

I simply want to be.

Go with the flow.

Let life happen.

I know what I’d like but if think about it too much, will it happen?

If it is meant to be for me, it will be, if it is meant to be for others around me, it will happen.

I’ve worked a year with deadlines, timescales, pushed myself, pushed others – and now it is time to let life just be.

My hopes for 2014 are not for me.

My hopes are for those who need and deserve them.

I am fortunate enough to know what I have is enough and what I am is enough. My faith gives me that.

As well as all the quirky 12 days, 12 photos etc… of Christmas, the following letters always feature at some point in our family Christmas time.

Dearest John:
I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a delightful gift. I couldn’t have been more surprised.

With dearest love and affection, Agnes

***

December 15th

Dearest John:

Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine, two turtle doves…. I’m just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just adorable.

All my love, Agnes

***

December 16th

Dear John:

Oh, aren’t you the extravagant one! Now I must protest. I don’t deserve such generosity. Three french hens. They are just darling but I must insist…. you’re just too kind.

Love Agnes

***

December 17th

Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really! They are beautiful, but don’t you think enough is enough? You’re being too romantic.

Affectionately, Agnes

December 18th

Dearest John:

What a surprise! Today the postman delivered five golden rings. One for each finger. You’re just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, John, all those squawking birds were beginning to get on my nerves.

All my love, Agnes

***

December 19th

Dear John:

When I opened the door there were actually six geese-a-laying on my front steps. So you’re back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining and I can’t sleep through the racket. PLEASE STOP!

Cordially, Agnes

***

December 20th

John:

What’s with you and those birds???? Seven swans-a-swimming. What kind of joke is this? There’s bird do-do all over the house and they never stop the racket. I’m a nervous wreck and I can’t sleep all night. IT’S NOT FUNNY…….So stop with those birds.

Sincerely, Agnes

***

December 21st

OK Buster:

I think I prefer the birds. What am I going to do with eight maids-a-milking? It’s not enough with all those birds and eight maids-a-milking, but they had to bring their own cows. There is poop all over the lawn and I can’t move into my own house. Just lay off me. .

Ag

***

December 22nd

Hey:

What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there’s nine pipers playing. And do they play! They never stopped chasing those maids since they got here yesterday morning. The cows are upset and are stepping all over those screeching birds. No wonder they screech. What am I going to do? The neighbors have started a petition to evict me. You’ll get yours.

From Ag

***

December 23rd

You Creep!

Now there’s ten ladies dancing – I don’t know why I call them ladies. Now the cows can’t sleep and they’ve got diarrhea. My living room is a river of poop. The commissioner of buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why the building shouldn’t be condemned. I’m sicking the police on you.

One who means it, Ag

***

December 24th

Listen Idiot:

What’s with the eleven lords a-leaping? All 234 of the birds are dead. I hope you’re satisfied, you rotten swine.

Your sworn enemy, Miss Agnes McCallister

***

December 25th (From the law offices Taeker, Spedar, and Baegar)

Dear Sir:

This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve fiddlers fiddling, which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Agnes McCallister. The destruction, of course, was total. All correspondence should come to our attention. If you should attempt to reach Miss McCallister at Happy Dale Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter, please find attached a warrant for your arrest.

Half way through our Christmas hols. What did this week bring for you?

Having become a fiery copper redhead again, I ventured, bravely, into Newcastle City centre on what had been described the busiest shopping day of the year. I was very surprised at how easy it was to get parked.

I hadn’t seen Fenwicks window this a christmas so that was the plan before catching up with a friend for coffee and chat.

Both successfully achieved even though friend is a Mapgpie fan and I’m a Black Cat! Lol

Monday – decided to rise with the larks and go to M&S and Sainsburys to buy the fresh fruit and veg. Again, I thought this would be like a bun fight but rather pleasantly surprised at how straightforward it was. Worth the early get up.

Christmas Eve is the one time of the year I get to sing O Holy Night at my own church. Midnight Mass is always a special service for me.

Lovely surprises arrived too from a very good friend and my Dad!

Christmas Day – time spent with those we love.

My Dad is 88 and I am very much a Daddy’s girl. Special moments to share together.

I attempted a lobster and prawn starter on a bed of ribboned cucumber and mixed peppers. All plates were cleared so I took it as a good sign.

Some special gifts received – I am lucky to have so many people who are incredibly thoughtful.

Those who follow me on twitter and read my blog will know the Friday post to time last week also commented on the fact that OFSTED had visited my new school in the last week of term.

Hard to believe that happened and does seem to be such a long time ago. It did however, result in some shoe shopping as a post OFSTED treat and these were my favourites worn on Christmas Day!

They come from Scorpio Shoes in Durham, an independent shoe shop. Love the steampunk range, although I did feel a little like a cowgirl as the metal work on the heels sounded as though I were wearing spurs!

Love the message in today’s calendar! A friend bought me this as a Christmas gift last year for the ‘Woman who does too much’. I know I burn the candle at both ends. I know I make mORR work for myself. I know I need to take time and stop.

I’ll never compromise on family time with my parents. They are my world.

Boxing Day!
Today is always a quiet day. One for tidying up, reflecting and just time for peace, quiet, calmness and stillness.

9.30am and Dad and I are sampling the Glenlivet he gave me as a gift and the Isle of Jura Mum bought my Dad as a gift. Lol

We’ve had the leftovers from yesterday for lunch on our knees. Love those kind of meals where it’s almost better than the day before because you haven’t had to prepare or cook anything.

It’s Friday and the last Friday in my weekly sum ups of the year 2013!

Love this time of year. So special. Love spending time with my Mum and Dad. Precious moments to make memories.

Weather has scuppered plans for other family members to visit today. Storm is a brewing. May be better to stay warm indoors today.